Novel pharmacotherapies for the treatment of liposarcoma: a comprehensive update

Liposarcomas are malignancies of adipocytic lineage and represent one of the most common types of soft tissue sarcomas. They encompass multiple histologies, each with unique molecular profiles. Treatment for localized disease includes resection, potentially with perioperative radiation or systemic therapy. Treatment for unresectable or metastatic disease revolves around palliative systemic therapy, for which improved therapies are urgently needed.

We reviewed the literature on novel therapies in clinical development for liposarcomas within the past 5 years and discuss their potential impact on future treatment strategies.

Understanding of the molecular characteristics of liposarcoma subtypes has led to testing of several targeted therapies, including inhibitors of amplified gene products (CDK4 and MDM2) and upregulated proteins (XPO1). Immuno-oncology has played an increasing role in the treatment of liposarcomas, with checkpoint inhibition showing promise in dedifferentiated liposarcomas, and immune therapies targeting cancer testis antigens NY-ESO-1 and MAGE family proteins poised to become an option for myxoid/round cell liposarcomas. The search for novel agents from existing classes (tyrosine kinase inhibitors) with efficacy in liposarcoma also continues. Combination therapies as well as biomarker identification for patient selection of therapies warrant ongoing exploration.